Happy Christmas – 2016

Well 2016 is almost over and what a wonderful year it has been. The nature reserves have never been busier. Sustrans appear to have finally decided that, yes, they do want to bring their path over Keil Hill (that took them ten wasted years), the wild brown trout in the lochan have attracted an osprey as well as otters and heron. We have seen many more red squirrels and other mammals. David has now received his training (thanks to Trees for Life) on how to set up and develop our new tree nursery.

Our support of Wildcat Haven has been very valuable to the future of the Scottish wildcat. I must not steal their thunder and will leave them to announce their great news, but suffice it to say that they have fantastic plans which they will announce in the next couple of weeks. I have supported Wildcat Haven for several years and before that the passionate Mr Steve Piper who ran the Scottish Wildcat Association. Every penny that we have given has been well spent. Hopefully the other “trap ’em and display ’em” wildcat group will fade away.

Our supporters only ever meet our front-line staff, our wardens or our customer support team. However there is a secret army of elves, who actually pack the orders we ship – and behind them is the finance department and sales and marketing. They are unsung heroes, but this is their busiest time of the year. As I type this, on Friday afternoon, only customer support remains at work and the phones have now gone quiet.

So, to everyone who has supported us, at any time in our ten years of operation, I say THANK YOU. I am proud to have been able to help to “conserve the Scottish Highlands, one square foot at a time”